When performing spoken word, Roméo Desmarais III (he/him) begins by bellowing: “I… AM… RoMeO-HoMeO ô£ tHÄ™ MÃ¥RtïÃñS >{:) !!!â€â€”his pseudonym since 1991. He identifies as Queer/2Spirit, Francophone, & Muskrat Métis/Indigenous. Roméo’s most recent work appears in oddball magazine (July 18, 2022) and The Whisky Blot Literary Journal (July 6, 2022). Additional credits include, among others, last year's only oddball magazine Pride month feature, and the final two editions of The Church-Wellesley Review (Spring & October, 2000). He’s a classically trained musician, social activist, as well as creator of what he calls "textual art"—displaying a poem in whichever medium best represents it—exhibited in “MARTIANS INVADE ECLECTIC!!!†(1995) and “textuality†(1997) with Beth Lyster. A backgammon addict, Roméo lives in London Ontario, Canada with his bf, their roomie, and 3 very lovely & affectionate cats.